Expert says our Covid response has proven effective -- as New Zealand's avoided the global trend of reduced life expectancy

A Lancet journal study reveals it dropped by 1.6 years for the two years to 2021.

But, we have one of the lowest numbers of excess deaths in the first two years of the pandemic.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker says this is the best outcome we could possibly hope for after a tough time.

He says this data sends clear message New Zealand's proactive and collective approach means we're in much better shape than other countries.